We have spent several days talking about food addiction and the signs of addicted to food. Like any other addiction such as alcoholism and drug addiction food addiction is based in using a substance to modify our emotions. My addiction started when I was about 6 years old. I have a grandmother who believed that food was a great comforter. Every time one of us kids had a problem Gramma would fix us something to eat because we "would feel better."
It didn't matter if we were sad or scared or had our feeling hurt. If we would only eat the pie or cake or cookies we would feel better. This is no different than the alcoholic who needs a drink to feel more social or the cigarette smoker who needs a smoke to calm his or her nerves. It all comes down to using a substance to control our emotions.
The bad part is we usually don't really control our emotions we just use the substance to shove them down in our subconscious where they can fester. The absolute best action if you think you are addicted to food, or any substance for that matter, is to get addiction help. There are literally thousands of great therapists and programs out there that can help you with a food addiciton problem. If you are overweight and you feel that food is controlling your life please talk to a professional about the possibility of food addiction.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Dieting and Food Addiction
I have talked before in this blog about my addiction to food. One of the problems with food addictions is you can't go cold turkey like an alcoholic or drug addict can. You are forced to eat something just by the nature of how your body works. For me this means a diet I can use and stick with for a long time. I'm sure you know how most diets go. You are all excited about losing weight and you are gung-ho to get started with the new diet you found. You start out the morning following it exactly and it doesn't seem too bad. You get to lunch and everything is still going well. Then the afternoon hits and the hunger pangs start. You use every bit of will power you have to stay away from the candy machine down the hall. OK. So far, so good. Then you get home, you are starved and can't wait to get something in your stomach. This is where I fall down as I think I'll just nibble a little bit on this and then I have a bite of that and before you know it I have consumed all the calories I am allowed for the whole week.
Dieting is not fun and so we actually need a lifestyle change to accomplish long term weight loss. I have been concentrating on no carb foods in my menus and that really seems to be helping. Like I said above you can't just quit eating like another kind of addict can stop their behavior. Cigarette smokers do not need cigarettes in order to survive. In fact cigarettes are a poison to your body and it functions better without them. So you can't go cold turkey. What then?
If you eat too much and you feel food has control over your life you can treat certain foods the way other addicted people treat their addictive substances. When an alcoholic decides to dry out he or she realizes they can never take another drink. Even one could lead them down the road to activating their addictive behavior. Sometimes they have to use every ounce of will power they have to stop from taking that first drink. You can use this method when you are on a particular diet and trying to lose weight.
For example, if you wanted to lose 10 pounds in a month you could make it your goal to never, ever eat desert during that time. That means no nibbling, no tasting, and no sneaking a small bite. Instead, you would approach it like an alcoholic who is fighting his or her addiction. Absolutely positively you do not let yourself get any where near desert. This way you don't stop eating everything you just completley stop eating the foods you chose.
Dieting is not fun and so we actually need a lifestyle change to accomplish long term weight loss. I have been concentrating on no carb foods in my menus and that really seems to be helping. Like I said above you can't just quit eating like another kind of addict can stop their behavior. Cigarette smokers do not need cigarettes in order to survive. In fact cigarettes are a poison to your body and it functions better without them. So you can't go cold turkey. What then?
If you eat too much and you feel food has control over your life you can treat certain foods the way other addicted people treat their addictive substances. When an alcoholic decides to dry out he or she realizes they can never take another drink. Even one could lead them down the road to activating their addictive behavior. Sometimes they have to use every ounce of will power they have to stop from taking that first drink. You can use this method when you are on a particular diet and trying to lose weight.
For example, if you wanted to lose 10 pounds in a month you could make it your goal to never, ever eat desert during that time. That means no nibbling, no tasting, and no sneaking a small bite. Instead, you would approach it like an alcoholic who is fighting his or her addiction. Absolutely positively you do not let yourself get any where near desert. This way you don't stop eating everything you just completley stop eating the foods you chose.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Food Addiction And Obesity
The levels of obesity in this country are skyrocketing especially in children and young adults. It appears as though part of this increase is related to instances of food addiction. In an addiction, the sufferer is replacing good emotional health with a substance that they perceive can give them a better feeling than they are able to produce themselves. In food addiction, this is usually manifested at using food to change our emotional state instead of dealing with the external causes of the state or learning how to deal with causes in a healthy way.
Thus, if we are sad we eat to feel happy. If we are bored we eat for something to do. If we are happy we eat to celebrate. All of these are examples of using food as an emotion changer instead of dealing with the emotions themselves. This may be effecting children and young adults more than older people because of how they view the world. Most children and young adults have spent the majority of time in a fantasy world. Whether it was TV, video games, or music videos, the last few generations have spent a majority of their time watching other people live their lives instead of the children and young adults living their's.
What this means is people never get to experience emotions of their own and learn how to deal with them. All through history there have been good times and bad, wonderful lives and tragedy, but if a person views these fantasy lives in movies, TV, and video games this realization can be lost on them. It appears that life should always been fun and exciting. The characters almost always have their problems solved within the one hour or two hours alotted. This makes us want to search for the quick answer in our lives instead of understanding that we have to work through problems and learn to deal with them.
There are a lot of causes of our current epidemic. With childhood obesity there are other factors such as the types of foods eaten and how much exercise a child is getting each day. But from what I have seen, food addiction and treatment could be a major cause.
Thus, if we are sad we eat to feel happy. If we are bored we eat for something to do. If we are happy we eat to celebrate. All of these are examples of using food as an emotion changer instead of dealing with the emotions themselves. This may be effecting children and young adults more than older people because of how they view the world. Most children and young adults have spent the majority of time in a fantasy world. Whether it was TV, video games, or music videos, the last few generations have spent a majority of their time watching other people live their lives instead of the children and young adults living their's.
What this means is people never get to experience emotions of their own and learn how to deal with them. All through history there have been good times and bad, wonderful lives and tragedy, but if a person views these fantasy lives in movies, TV, and video games this realization can be lost on them. It appears that life should always been fun and exciting. The characters almost always have their problems solved within the one hour or two hours alotted. This makes us want to search for the quick answer in our lives instead of understanding that we have to work through problems and learn to deal with them.
There are a lot of causes of our current epidemic. With childhood obesity there are other factors such as the types of foods eaten and how much exercise a child is getting each day. But from what I have seen, food addiction and treatment could be a major cause.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Is Food Addiciton Real
Obesity is epidemic in our country. This generation of children is the first one to have a life expectancy less than their parents. Diabetes, heart disease, and other weight related ailments are bankrupting our economy. What is going on? Is there such a thing as food addiction and if so how do we combat it?
There has never been a time in history where such a large number of people had such easy access to so many calories on a daily basis. It is simple for almost anyone in this country to consume 4000-5000 calories a day just by eating what is advertised on TV and other media. When the average person only needs 2000 calories a day you can see how easy it is to gain massive amounts of weight. But the question is, are people addicted to food or are they just choosing to eat everything in sight even when eating makes them physically sick? There is a lot of discussion about this and some scientists are saying that there is no such thing as food addiction.
These are probably the same people who claim that alcoholism is not a disease and that drug addicts should just say no. It is much deeper than that. I have had first hand experience with both alcoholism and drug addiction and I can tell you that people who suffer from these are being driven by something other than their own conscious decisions. With treatment these people can learn to control their cravings and behavior but they are never cured. People who have never experienced an addiction can not understand what it is like to feel as if something has control of your body and is making you do things you really don't want to do. I have met many alcoholics who get sick thinking about drinking and yet drink every night. I can't count the number of meth addicts I have seen literally crying for help while they are doing everything they can to get that next fix. They are not choosing to feel this way. Instead, they are living out their addictive behavior.
It is the same with food addicts. We wake up in the morning with the best intentions of not overeating today. Maybe we make it through breakfast with a little bowl of cereal and some fruit. Then about 10:00 the hunger pangs start. We start by having those carrots and celery sticks we brought from home. This works for a little while then it is "I'll just eat part of my lunch now." Pretty soon the lunch is gone and it isn't even 10:30 yet. The hunger pangs have stopped but desire to eat is still there. It is pulling us to the candy machine. "Just a little chocolate and I'll feel better." No, we say. I want to lose weight an I am going to be successful this time.
Then it happens. Things get crazy at work, maybe the boss yells, or a customer rants and food is the only comfort we need. It is straight to the carbs and the rush we get when those sugars hit our brain. Ahh, relief. But only for a moment then the self-loathing starts in. Why did I do that? Why am I such a failure? Well I already ruined today so I might as well eat some more. And another pound is gained.
There have been some studies that indicate the high fructose corn syrups found in almost all processed foods may have something to do with the increase of addictive behavior. Eating this high intensity, ramped up corn syrup instead of regular sugar may trigger different chemicals in the brain. This may have merit as High fructose corn syrup came into wide spread use about the same time the obesity epidemic started. Maybe there is a chemical imbalance problem with the group of people who can't stop eating just like there is a chemical part to alcoholism.
If we treat overeating as an addiction then we can use the same methods as are used with alcohol and illicit drugs. Group support is important. Also, abstinence from the foods that trigger the over eating episodes. Addiction recovery is possible from food addiction just like other addictions but it starts with recognizing the root causes of the problem and attacking them head on. Saying a person just eats too much is not going to help him or her to reach a healthy weight.
There has never been a time in history where such a large number of people had such easy access to so many calories on a daily basis. It is simple for almost anyone in this country to consume 4000-5000 calories a day just by eating what is advertised on TV and other media. When the average person only needs 2000 calories a day you can see how easy it is to gain massive amounts of weight. But the question is, are people addicted to food or are they just choosing to eat everything in sight even when eating makes them physically sick? There is a lot of discussion about this and some scientists are saying that there is no such thing as food addiction.
These are probably the same people who claim that alcoholism is not a disease and that drug addicts should just say no. It is much deeper than that. I have had first hand experience with both alcoholism and drug addiction and I can tell you that people who suffer from these are being driven by something other than their own conscious decisions. With treatment these people can learn to control their cravings and behavior but they are never cured. People who have never experienced an addiction can not understand what it is like to feel as if something has control of your body and is making you do things you really don't want to do. I have met many alcoholics who get sick thinking about drinking and yet drink every night. I can't count the number of meth addicts I have seen literally crying for help while they are doing everything they can to get that next fix. They are not choosing to feel this way. Instead, they are living out their addictive behavior.
It is the same with food addicts. We wake up in the morning with the best intentions of not overeating today. Maybe we make it through breakfast with a little bowl of cereal and some fruit. Then about 10:00 the hunger pangs start. We start by having those carrots and celery sticks we brought from home. This works for a little while then it is "I'll just eat part of my lunch now." Pretty soon the lunch is gone and it isn't even 10:30 yet. The hunger pangs have stopped but desire to eat is still there. It is pulling us to the candy machine. "Just a little chocolate and I'll feel better." No, we say. I want to lose weight an I am going to be successful this time.
Then it happens. Things get crazy at work, maybe the boss yells, or a customer rants and food is the only comfort we need. It is straight to the carbs and the rush we get when those sugars hit our brain. Ahh, relief. But only for a moment then the self-loathing starts in. Why did I do that? Why am I such a failure? Well I already ruined today so I might as well eat some more. And another pound is gained.
There have been some studies that indicate the high fructose corn syrups found in almost all processed foods may have something to do with the increase of addictive behavior. Eating this high intensity, ramped up corn syrup instead of regular sugar may trigger different chemicals in the brain. This may have merit as High fructose corn syrup came into wide spread use about the same time the obesity epidemic started. Maybe there is a chemical imbalance problem with the group of people who can't stop eating just like there is a chemical part to alcoholism.
If we treat overeating as an addiction then we can use the same methods as are used with alcohol and illicit drugs. Group support is important. Also, abstinence from the foods that trigger the over eating episodes. Addiction recovery is possible from food addiction just like other addictions but it starts with recognizing the root causes of the problem and attacking them head on. Saying a person just eats too much is not going to help him or her to reach a healthy weight.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Overcoming Food Addiction
Overcoming food addiction is as difficult as overcoming any other addiction. In fact, it may be more difficult than some others because you can't just go cold turkey on eating. I think it would be easier to stop intaking food altogether than it is to limit the foods I eat. I have fought my addiction to food since I was about 6 years old. I was a normal sized child until that time. I had a fairly tramatic incident and I found comfort in food. Since then I use food for a comforter whenever I am stressed or sad or mad or scared or happy or... Actually I use food as an emotion changer much more than I do a form of sustenance.
I have other addictions such as being a workaholic and a little alcoholism although I have not drank for a few years. I have attended Al-Anon a lot and have developed a good handle on dealing with others addictions but now I need to learn how to deal with mine.
One of the important aspects of overcoming food addiction is to learn what triggers cause the overeating. As I said above my triggers are either stress related or celebratory in nature. I have lost sight of the true use of food and instead I use the food as a way to manipulate my emotions. I have given over the control of my life to food. This is a very common addiction scenario. I have lost the ability to keep my emotions in check by myself and so I look for something outside me, in this case food, to given me the emotional support I need.
There is also a physical aspect that needs to be addressed when learning how to overcome food addiction. I my case I go for high power carbohydrates when I need an emotional boost. Within a few minutes of visiting the candy and chip machine I feel an amazing rush of calmness and warmth flood over me. The simple sugars in the snack foods have a quick acting and dramatic affect on my brain chemistry so not only am I emotionally tied to the food addiction but I am also physically tied to it. Like other addicts I really enjoy that rush of great feelings that comes from manipulating my brain.
So I am fighting two aspects of addictive behavior. The emotional aspect and the physical aspect. The food addict in me is always looking to get that emotional high which comes from manipulating my brain chemistry. I am starting to view my life and my eating through the eyes of an addict like I need to. I am starting to change my eating habits which is a necessary step to overcoming food addiction.
I have other addictions such as being a workaholic and a little alcoholism although I have not drank for a few years. I have attended Al-Anon a lot and have developed a good handle on dealing with others addictions but now I need to learn how to deal with mine.
One of the important aspects of overcoming food addiction is to learn what triggers cause the overeating. As I said above my triggers are either stress related or celebratory in nature. I have lost sight of the true use of food and instead I use the food as a way to manipulate my emotions. I have given over the control of my life to food. This is a very common addiction scenario. I have lost the ability to keep my emotions in check by myself and so I look for something outside me, in this case food, to given me the emotional support I need.
There is also a physical aspect that needs to be addressed when learning how to overcome food addiction. I my case I go for high power carbohydrates when I need an emotional boost. Within a few minutes of visiting the candy and chip machine I feel an amazing rush of calmness and warmth flood over me. The simple sugars in the snack foods have a quick acting and dramatic affect on my brain chemistry so not only am I emotionally tied to the food addiction but I am also physically tied to it. Like other addicts I really enjoy that rush of great feelings that comes from manipulating my brain.
So I am fighting two aspects of addictive behavior. The emotional aspect and the physical aspect. The food addict in me is always looking to get that emotional high which comes from manipulating my brain chemistry. I am starting to view my life and my eating through the eyes of an addict like I need to. I am starting to change my eating habits which is a necessary step to overcoming food addiction.
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